Charlie Oriental

The original Charlie(1973), was my favorite fragrance for years. There was just something about it that worked beautifully with my body chemistry. I'm not certain how, but I missed this flanker completely back when it was released. Or perhaps I just don't remember it. I found a vintage bottle recently and decided to risk that the juice would still be good. I knew from other's reviews that this fragrance was going to be right up my alley: vintage, spicy, amber bomb. I'm so glad I ordered a bottle because it's fabulous. Not complicated but so good. If you know the pillar or even the reformulation, Charlie Blue, this is a spicier, sweeter, more powdery version. It's got a kick to it that is intoxicating for those who know. Once it settles on my skin, I do pick up a nod to both Estee Lauder's Cinnabar and my mom's signature for at least 15 years, YSL's Opium. I like this so much that I'm going to hunt down another bottle. If you like vintage ambers that are a little dirty, think Toujours Moi and Tabu, I think you'll like this. It's not a cola heavy composition like Toujours Moi but it almost wants to be. Love, love, love.

This was just a lovely scent. I liked best of all the Charlie incarnations. Can it be found today?

what a vague list of notes, but i get spices, woods and florals. likely carnation, maybe rose? i get something almost slightly creamy here, not sure what it is, but possibly ylang ylang or lily. this is definitely in the opium realm but not as complex or dry to my nose. a bit more floral. the spices seem to parse out a bit over time, becoming more distinct with cinnamon the strongest. this is super pretty. a spicy floral, perfect for cold weather.

This was the only fragrance in the Charlie range of that time period that I liked. A great little cheapie oriental that smelled more expensive.

found a deal on ebay-3 new bottles in the gold boxes for under $10! what a steal.....this reminds me of opium of old. i know some think cinnebar-but it is missing that overly powdery note that old cinnebar was so fond of. the only drawback-this is one of those continous sprayers-i meant to only apply a quick dab-it was almost as if the sprayer was stuck-but it is a new/unused bottle. anyways-this is a georgous scent! it is just bursting with cloves, cinnamon, myrrh...it has traces of patch-not too much-but i pick up trace amounts.....the notes stay pretty consistant thruout-and one great thing-no cola notes! YES! i hate that! this lasts until the next morning for me-i get light wafts on my pillow. the back of my neck....so soft now-it is most sensual when it gets to skin notes.... this is one sexy perfume-even in the heat it is beautiful-if you can find some-grab it!

From the late 80's through probably the early 90's, this was sold in my small town's pharmacy and they had a tester. At that young age I already loved fragrances. I would try Charlie Oriental every time I went in there and LOVED it. I was also obsessed with the bottle because it looked like jade, it had that beautiful green color, and the ornate gold insignia. It looked and felt fancy to me. I still remember how smooth and cold the bottle felt in my hands as I waited for my mom to pick up prescriptions - I loved that part of the sensory experience, too. It looked and smelled so "exotic" to me at that young age. I would say it's more similar to Cinnabar than Opium but it also lightens up slightly part of the way through and is therefore not as heavy as Cinnabar. Loving this trip down memory lane!

An absolutely gorgeous spicy scent!! This was my signature scent 22 years ago when I met my husband. He loved the way it smelled! I just found a bottle on ebay. I can't wait to see if it brings back any memories for him. Bottle came today. It still smells as yummy as it used to. Husband still loves it!!

I never did enjoy the original Charlie and didn't realize it had so many flankers until reading Fragrantica! I would love to try this one, but of course, I see its the most elusive of the line and probably the most expensive to obtain. Will look around for it!

My sister wore this every day when she was in 8th grade and I, the kid sister, thought it was an amazing smell. I would love to get my hands on a bottle again and see if my adult self still loves it. It's the only Charlie incarnation I enjoyed.

I love/miss this scent so much. I'm allergic to most perfume but this was one of the few I could wear.

This is such a beautiful bottle and a decent version of Opium/Cinnabar.